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Had A Melonoma Removed From Leg. Having Fishy Smell. Is That An Infection?

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Posted on Mon, 20 May 2013
Question: I had a melonoma removed from my leg..When I was changing the dressing today it smelled fishy..Is that an infection?
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Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (3 hours later)
Hello ma'am and welcome to XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing to us.

First of all, I would request your co-operation in clearing a few queries of mine.
Have you been changing your own dressings? If yes, for how long? Were you instructed the right technique by a healthcare professional? And do you follow a sterile method of cleaning and re-dressing the wound? Is this the first time you have experienced an odour from your wound? Are you sure this is not from any medication being applied? Are you on antibiotic coverage?

It is difficult to say whether or not your wound could be infected, but the presence of a foul-smelling odour certainly is a sign of an infection, although this is normally seen in earlier stages of wound healing. Let me list a few more signs of an infected wound for you, just for your information. They are:
-Localised heat
-Localised pain
-Fever
-Redness around the wound
-Foul-smelling odour from the wound
-Increased pus or exudate production from the wound
-Change in color of wound
-Delay in healing of wound
-Appearance of sensitive and discolored tissue that bleeds easily

Although a wound can smell a distinct way for a while, and this would be normal, we still have to rule out the possibility of an infection, as this can complicate wound healing.

I would request you to visit a doctor, and get your wound inspected at the earliest. If it is indeed infected, it will be easier to treat in the earlier phases of the infection. I am sure your doctor will assure this.

I hope you found my response helpful and informative. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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Had A Melonoma Removed From Leg. Having Fishy Smell. Is That An Infection?

Hello ma'am and welcome to XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing to us.

First of all, I would request your co-operation in clearing a few queries of mine.
Have you been changing your own dressings? If yes, for how long? Were you instructed the right technique by a healthcare professional? And do you follow a sterile method of cleaning and re-dressing the wound? Is this the first time you have experienced an odour from your wound? Are you sure this is not from any medication being applied? Are you on antibiotic coverage?

It is difficult to say whether or not your wound could be infected, but the presence of a foul-smelling odour certainly is a sign of an infection, although this is normally seen in earlier stages of wound healing. Let me list a few more signs of an infected wound for you, just for your information. They are:
-Localised heat
-Localised pain
-Fever
-Redness around the wound
-Foul-smelling odour from the wound
-Increased pus or exudate production from the wound
-Change in color of wound
-Delay in healing of wound
-Appearance of sensitive and discolored tissue that bleeds easily

Although a wound can smell a distinct way for a while, and this would be normal, we still have to rule out the possibility of an infection, as this can complicate wound healing.

I would request you to visit a doctor, and get your wound inspected at the earliest. If it is indeed infected, it will be easier to treat in the earlier phases of the infection. I am sure your doctor will assure this.

I hope you found my response helpful and informative. Do write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be happy to help you.

Best wishes.